Miguel’s handsome grin deepened. “I hear you! Who wants baked-from-frozen muffins and terrible coffee? There’s no accounting for some tastes.” One last twinkle of those dimples. “So . . . you come here often?” He laughed and looked a bit sheepish. “Sorry, that came out wrong.”

Cass laughed as well, feeling altogether charmed. “I do. I have to be on set pretty early.”

“Well, I’m surprised I haven’t run into you before,” Miguel said. Cass couldn’t help but notice the way he said it, as if he would definitely have noticed her. Of course, he thought she was Charlie, but she was flattered regardless.

“But I shouldn’t be surprised that the famous Charlie Goodwin would come here. In my opinion, this place has the best cinnamon rolls and Danishes in L.A. And not a green juice or smoothie bowl on the menu.” He raised an eyebrow and Cass felt wobbly inside again, but this time it had nothing to do with exhaustion or a lack of caffeine. Not only was this guy after her own heart—she had never understood the obsession with unsatisfying liquid breakfasts—but he was also adorable.

“Right? My kingdom for a carb- and sugar-laden breakfast baked fresh! Who can live on chia pudding and green smoothies?”

“It would be like only living half a life,” he said, shaking his head in mock sorrow.

“As a medical professional, though, shouldn’t you be highly invested in the superfood breakfast bowl movement?” she asked, tilting her head.

“Good thing I don’t work in the cardiac unit,” Miguel replied with a wink. “Besides, I was raised to be of the opinion that everything is okay, in moderation. If you don’t have the real thing once in a while, you’ll be miserable.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Cass said, then glanced at her phone. “I have to run. The transition from freshly showered to show-ready is not a quick one.”

Miguel chuckled, then held her gaze. “I think you look great.”

Cass’s breath caught and she stayed still, suddenly not wanting the moment to be over.

He cleared his throat, and seemed a touch embarrassed. “Also, I’m glad you’re feeling well enough to go to work. That’s great news.”

“Yes, good as new,” Cass said, becoming lost in his warm eyes again. Then her phone buzzed and she broke eye contact to glance at the text. Priya.

Where are you??

“It was nice to see you again, Miguel,” Cass said, holding up the phone. “But I really need to go. The makeup department is getting restless.”

“For sure. Don’t let me keep you,” Miguel replied, giving a small wave. “And say hi to Priya for me.”

“Oh, you know Priya?”

Miguel’s smile disappeared and he gave her a puzzled look. “I met Priya, too. She brought you in.” Now he frowned. “Charlie, are you sure you’re alright?”

Cass’s cheeks burned, in part because of the intense way he was looking at her, and in part because she knew she was screwing everything up. “Never better,” she said, trying to keep her voice light. “It’s just the no-coffee fog. And I was up all night working on a recipe for today’s show.”